FORUMS

We all have a responsibility to make sure that the changes happening on Long Island work for everyone, immigrant and native alike.

That’s why Long Island Wins, in partnership with the Long Island Civic Engagement Table (LICET) and the Spanish-language newspaper Noticia is proud to have created the groundbreaking “Growing a Diverse Long Island” series of community forums. These forums are designed to make sure that the voices of immigrants and communities of color are heard in our civic dialogue. While the content of the forums ranges from elected officials debating how to strengthen and support diverse communities on Long Island, to taking questions about the economy, diversity, and social policy, the goal remains the same: to make sure every Long Islander is heard in our most fundamental debates.

These forums feature direct participation from community members from an extensive range of grassroots organizations across Long Island, continuing a dialogue that Long Island Wins, LICET and Noticia have begun fostering through their “Growing a Diverse Long Island” series.

FAITH AND IMMIGRATION REFORM (JUNE 7, 2013)

Faith leaders from throughout Long Island united at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury to discuss the need for immigration reform. Part of the “Growing a Diverse Long Island” series of forums that Long Island Wins hosts alongside the Long Island Civic Engagement Table and Noticia, this interfaith discussion brought together leaders from the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths to discuss this very important topic.

Representing a variety of denominations and ethnicities, the faith leaders discussed their communities’ experiences with immigration and the need for commonsense immigration reform. Moderated by Newsday columnist Bob Keeler, this forum gave representatives from different traditions the unique opportunity to unite and discuss the connection between their faith and the imperative for reform. Participating faith leaders were Rabbi Menashe Bovit, Bellerose Jewish Center; Mufti Mohammad Farhan, Islamic Centre of South Shore and Rev. Carlos Luis Vargas, Freeport Bible Center.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF IMMIGRATION FORUM (MARCH 11, 2013)

Long Island business leaders along with U.S. Congressman Tim Bishop meet to discuss the potential economic impact immigration reform would have on Long Island and our nation in a panel discussion, entitled “The Economic Benefits of Immigration Reform,” hosted by Long Island Wins, the Long Island Civic Engagement Table and Noticia. Panelists included Roger Clayman, Long Island Federation of Labor; Otoniel Figueroa Durán, Local 32BJ SEIU; Joe Gergela, Long Island Farm Bureau; Kevin Law, Long Island Association; Alvin Ramnarain, Local 1102 RWDSU/UFCW and moderated by David Kallick, Fiscal Policy Institute.

SENATE DEBATE DISTRICT 4: MONTANO AND BOYLE (OCTOBER 10, 2012)

Candidate forum for Senate District 4 hosted by Long Island Wins, Noticia and Long Island Civic Engagement Table, with candidates Assemblyman Phil Boyle and Legislator Ricardo Montano. The candidates will address questions from members of local community organizations on topics like the economy, diversity, and matters of social policy.

BRENTWOOD SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS FORUM (MAY 9, 2012)

Candidates for the Brentwood School Board fielded questions on pivotal issues like racism, language access, and budget management at a May 9 forum devoted to voicing the concerns of parents in Long Island’s largest and most diverse school district.

A CANDIDATE DEBATE FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY EXECUTIVE (NOVEMBER 3, 2011)

For the first time ever, candidates for Suffolk County executive, Steve Bellone and Angie Carpenter, met to debate about strengthening diverse communities on Long Island. The event, “Growing a Diverse Long Island: A Candidate Debate for Suffolk County Executive,” was co-hosted by Long Island Wins, the Spanish-language newspaper Noticia and the Long Island Civic Engagement Table. Community members representing a cross-section of organizations will have the opportunity to question the candidates in the areas of economy, public safety, social services, and education.

Long Island Wins is a nonprofit communications organization that focuses on immigration issues on Long Island and beyond. We promote commonsense immigration policies that are rooted in respect and dignity that benefit all Long Islanders - local solutions where everyone “wins.”